Rita Baker is the managing director and founder of LECI’ve been working in the field of language communication since 1970.

I graduated in French and Spanish (Exeter University), trained as a specialist EFL teacher (London University Institute of Education) and did a course in managing dyslexia (Aston University). I have taught, and trained teachers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. My learners have ranged in age from 4 to 86! Since 1985 I have specialised in teaching English for Business and have run trainer courses for the Cert. IBET.

As a founder and director of this small training centre I am involved in every part of the operation, but my main passion is training innovation and development.

I have a particular interest in the psychology of language learning, individual learning styles, intercultural issues, pronunciation and accelerated learning techniques. I love to share this with other members of the profession through workshops and presentations at international conferences. I am the creator of the GlobalApproach™.

My interests, when I am not teaching, training or hosting our resident ‘students’, are singing, drama, and clothes design. I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and I do some sailing and motor biking with Duncan. We both enjoy our family, especially our grandchildren.

If you have any questions about training or the origin of the GlobalApproach™ you can contact me on: rita.baker@lydbury.co.uk

Duncan Baker is a founder of LEC, a senior trainer and responsible for IT and general maintenance.Working as a member of a small team means that I have several roles. My responsibilities include IT and property and vehicle maintenance.

My first career was as a submarine officer in the Royal Navy. In 1976 I joined the Diplomatic Service. I worked in Chancery in the British High Commision in Nairobi, Kenya, after which I studied Arabic before serving as Chargé d’Affaires in the British Embassy in Sana’a in the Yemen Arab Republic. I have a Master’s Degree (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from the London University Institute of Education (1998). I am a Fellow of the RSA.

Rita and I founded Lydbury English Centre in 1985 and it has been our home ever since. We have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren.

I have lots of interests. I love sailing and have certificates in ocean navigation and maritime bridge watchkeeping. I am a member of Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes - a voluntary organisation which transports blood, samples and other items from hospital to hospital without cost to the National Health Service. I enjoy playing my bassoon in our local orchestra and have recently become interested in bird watching.

Julie Humble is a senior trainer and joint coordinator at LECI’m Julie Humble. I’ve been a key member of the training team since 1992. With Rita, I coordinate the work of our trainers and plan the delivery of our full range of training programmes.

For most of my time I’m delivering training sessions myself, but it is also my responsibility to ensure that every course is adapted to the personal learning style and individual language needs of each person who comes here for training.

My qualifications include a BSc (Hons) in Linguistic and International Studies (French, with German and Economics), a Diploma in TESOL, a Certificate in Teaching English for Business and a Certificate in Further Education Teaching. I am also a member of both the Institute of Linguists and the Institute for Learning.

I enjoy my job because it is very stimulating to work with people from so many different linguistic, corporate and cultural backgrounds. Above all I love helping learners to become more effective and confident communicators in English.

I am also a member of the Trinity International ESOL Examiner Panel and an occasional Visiting Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton.

I’m especially interested in helping people to use English to lead international workshops and training sessions. I’m also researching the implications of assumptions in teaching and learning, and looking at the importance of English in international sport.

Clare Russell is the Administration Manager at LECI work as the Administration Manager at Lydbury English Centre. I organise your bookings from your initial enquiry, helping you to book the right course for your training needs, through to arranging the taxi to pick you up at the airport.

I really enjoy the satisfaction of helping you to feel confident and excited about your experience here.

Before I came here I managed another adult residential training centre and previously worked in London in commercial television. I love living in Shropshire now, I enjoy walking the hills with my three children and wild swimming. Please contact me on: clare.russell@lydbury.co.uk